These Times Are Hard for Lovers explained

These Times Are Hard for Lovers
Cover:John Waite These Times Are Hard for Lovers 1987 single cover.jpg
Border:yes
Type:single
Artist:John Waite
Album:Rover's Return
B-Side:Wild One
Released:27 July 1987 (UK)[1]
Length:4:12
Label:EMI America
Producer:Desmond Child
Frank Filipetti
John Waite
Prev Title:If Anybody Had a Heart
Prev Year:1986
Next Title:Don't Lose Any Sleep
Next Year:1987

"These Times Are Hard for Lovers" is a song by English musician John Waite, which was released in 1987 as the lead single from his fourth studio album Rover's Return. The song was written by Desmond Child and Waite, and produced by Child, Frank Filipetti and Waite.[2]

"These Times Are Hard for Lovers" peaked at No. 53 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and remained in the charts for sixteen weeks.[3] The song also reached No. 77 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the Top 100 for three weeks.[4] The song's music video was directed by Jeff Stein.[5]

Critical reception

Upon its release, Jon Hotten of Kerrang! called it "another excellent tune from the sorely underrated, in the UK at least, Mr Waite". He noted Waite's "usual panache", but added he "can't help feeling that his voice is a little lightweight for chantalong stuff like this, though".[6] In the US, Billboard described the song as a "sharp, dramatic rock track" and praised its commercial potential by claiming it "could very well do the trick".[7] Cash Box listed the single as one of their "feature picks" during June 1987 and commented: "It is a tougher, more sinewy effort than his other solo singles, hearkening back to his Babys' days."[8] Larry Seel, writing for the Orlando Sentinel, commented: "The song has a rocking little melody that's bound to implant itself somewhere in your brain". He considered the song's music video to be "full of pep" and "reminiscent" of Rod Stewart's "Some Guys Have All the Luck".[9] In a review of Rover's Return, Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic retrospectively described the song as a "surging opener" and "good radio rock", with Waite's voice "sound[ing] good in this polished setting".[2]

Track listing

7" single
  1. "These Times Are Hard for Lovers" - 4:12
  2. "Wild One" - 3:50
7" single (US promo)
  1. "These Times Are Hard for Lovers" - 4:12
  2. "These Times Are Hard for Lovers" - 4:12
12" single (UK release)
  1. "These Times Are Hard for Lovers" (Jellybean Mix) - 6:01
  2. "Wild One" - 3:50
  3. "Missing You" (7" Version) - 4:01
12" single (European release)
  1. "These Times Are Hard for Lovers" (Jellybean Mix) - 6:01
  2. "These Times Are Hard for Lovers" (LP Version) - 4:12
  3. "These Times Are Hard for Lovers" (Instrumental) - 4:31
12" single (US release)
  1. "These Times Are Hard for Lovers" (Jellybean Mix) - 6:01
  2. "These Times Are Hard for Lovers" (LP Version) - 4:12
  3. "These Times Are Hard for Lovers" (Extended Rock Mix) - 6:26
  4. "These Times Are Hard for Lovers" (Jellybean Edit) - 5:15
  5. "Wild One" - 3:50
CD single (US promo)
  1. "These Times Are Hard for Lovers" - 4:12

Personnel

Production

Charts

Chart (1987)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[10] 59
German Singles Chart[11] 72
UK Singles Chart77
US Billboard Hot 10053
US Billboard Album Rock Tracks[12] 6

Notes and References

  1. Smith . Robin . 25 July 1987 . News Digest . . 36 . 0144-5804.
  2. Web site: Stephen Thomas Erlewine . Rover's Return - John Waite | Songs, Reviews, Credits . AllMusic . 2020-05-28.
  3. Web site: John Waite . Billboard . 2020-05-28.
  4. Web site: JOHN WAITE; full Official Chart History . Officialcharts.com . 2020-05-28.
  5. Book: Making Television: Authorship and the Production Process - Google Books . 9780275927462 . 2020-05-28. Thompson . Gary . Thompson . Robert J. . Burns . Gary . 1990 .
  6. Hotten . Jon . Singlez . . 6 August 1987 . 152 . 27 . 0262-6624.
  7. 13 June 1987. Single Reviews. Billboard. 77.
  8. 13 June 1987. Single Releases. Cash Box. 9.
  9. News: Seel. Larry. 26 July 1987. Nugget-sized reviews: Get your quick fixes. The Orlando Sentinel.
  10. Book: Kent, David. David Kent (historian). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. illustrated. Australian Chart Book. St Ives, N.S.W.. 1993. 0-646-11917-6. 331.
  11. Web site: Steffen Hung . John Waite - These Times Are Hard For Lovers . germancharts.de . 2020-05-28.
  12. Web site: John Waite . Billboard . 2020-05-28.

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